Electrical display system.



PATENTED NOV. 8, 1903.

E. L. OBRYAN.

ELECTRICAL DISPLAY SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 20, 1902.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

NO MODEL.

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No. 743,024. PATEN'IED NOV. 3, 1903. I'. L. OBRYAN.

ELECTRICAL DISPLAY SYSTEM.

APPLICL-ITIOIT FILED DEG. 20, 1902. N0 MODEL. 4 SHEBTS-SHET 2.

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' No. 743,024. PATENTED NOV. 3, 1903.

F. L. OBRYAN.

ELECTRICAL DISPLAY SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 20, 1902.

H0 MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

PATENTED NOV. 3, 1903.

F. L. O'BRYAN.

ELECTRICAL DISPLAY SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED DEO. 20, 1902.-

M l z 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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N0 MODEL.

L awo/mwa UNITED STATES I atented November 3, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS L. OBRYAN, OF WINSTON-SALEM, NORTII CAROLINA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WILLIAM T. BROWN, OF XVINSTON-SALEM, NORTII CAROLINA.

ELECTRICAL DISPLAY SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 743,024, dated November 3, 1903.

Applioationiiled December 20,1902. Serial No. 136,067. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS L. OBRYAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at finston-Salem,in the county of Forsyth and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Display Systems,of which the following is a speciiication.

My invention relates to that class of electrical display systems in which electric lamps are arranged in the form of letters or are arranged to illuminate letters in transparent compartments which are so` arranged as to form a word, combination of words, ora sign. In such systems the separate lamps composing the several letters or illuminating the several letters have heretofore been so connected with the source of electricity that the letters maybe successively formed or brought into view or they may be simultaneously exposed. The lamps have also been so arranged that different letters may be formed by causing different lamps in the same group or block to glow at different times.

The object of my invention is to improve electrical display systems of this class and to provide means whereby a series of letters may be brought into view in any desired way and whereby sparking and burning of parts of the apparatus may be avoided while changingthe several circuits.

Other features of my invention will be more clearly hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a plan view of the apparatus which I employ for controlling` and directing the circuits of the system. Fig. 2 shows a side elevation thereof.' Fig. 3 is a detail view in elevation of the main switch for opening and closing the main circuit. Fig. I is a detail View in elevation of the devices for successively closing the circuits leading to different groups of lamps. Fig. 5 is a detail view in section of part of the devices for directing the currents through the circuit -ehanging wheel which I employ. Fig. 6 is 'a detail view in elevation of the devices employed for changing the circuit through different lamps in the same group or block. Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating how my apparatus operates in connection with groups of electric lamps to form letters or combinations of letters in the desired order. In this iigure I have illustrated monograms or an arrangement of lamps by which a plurality of letters may be formed from the same bank of lamps. Fig. S is a diagram illustrating the operation of my apparatus in which monograms are omitted, but in which three circuits are used for the purpose of illuminating a series of lamps of different colors. Fig. 9 is a detail view showing how transparent signs may be employed in front of electric lamps in separate compartments. The devices shown in Fig. 9 may be used in connection with the circuits shown in Fig. S. Fig. IO is a diagram illustrating the manner in which the circuits may be arranged and when the letters of a word are displayed in always the same order, differing from Fig. 8, which latter figure shows devices for changing the order in which the letters may bc displayed.

The apparatus shown in Figs. l and 2 for controlling the circuits may be located at any desired distance from the electric lamps which compose or which illumine the letters, signs, or designs. The several parts of the circuitcontrolling mechanism are preferably all located on a common base-plate A. The two branches B O of the main-line circuit from a generator are connected with a fuse-block D of ordinary construction, and from this fuseblock extend conductors h and c, connected, respectively, by way of the fuse with the conductors B and O. The conductor c is electrically connected with a spring contact-iingerE, which bears on a sleeve e, that is mounted to turn on a shaft e, supported on standards rising from the bed-plate. The sleeve is insulated from the shaft and carries three radial arms F F' F2, arranged at an angle qof about one hundred and twenty degrees with each other and adapted to successively .malte electrical connection with the three bifurcated contact-springs G Gr/v G2, which are linsulated from each other and each of which is connected with one of the conductors II I'I H2. The arms F F F2 are all electrically connected with the sleeve c, and when one of thc arms makes electrical connection with one of ICO the springs G G G2 the current will pass through the conductor H, H', or H2 connected with such spring. Only one arm F, F', or F2 can make electrical connection with a spring G G G2 at any one time.

The branch B of the main circuit is extended at Z), as before stated, and this conduetor Z) is electrically connected with the contactdevice i, forming part of the main switch I, and attached to abase yz, of insulating material. Another contact device on the base l'Z' is connected with a wire J, that leads to the devices for controlling the circuits leading to the lamps. /ZS'Z indicate two other contact devices on the base Z. They are insulated from the contacts 1' Z2, but are connected to each other by a piece o1 goed conducting material It is obvious that if the contacts yZ and rZ2 are electrically connected with each other and the contacts rZ2 and lL are simultaneously connected in like manner a current of electricity may pass from conductor B through the switch l to the conductor J. For doing this l employ two spring or yielding contact devices l I2, carried by a vertical oscillating frame K, which has an arm Zt', attached to a shaft Zt', mounted in bearings in lugs k2, rising from the base of the switch. Springs 7,71, wound around the shalt attached thereto and bearing on the base fi', tend to raise the frame in such manner as to withdraw the contacts I l2 from the contacts '1.' Z22/212. On its upper side the arm Zt' is formed with two lugs ZJ" Zt and an inclined surface LT between the lugs, on which bears the downwardly-extending arm Z of a bell-crank lever L, pivoted above the arm Z.; to standards Z .and having a laterally-projecting arm Z2, to

which is attached an upwardly-projecting rod Z2, carrying an eye Z", through which extends a pitman-rod M, provided with two stops or bumpers m lm', placed some distance apart and rigidly attached to the rod. The bumper m' is attached to one end of the rod M, and the opposite end of the rod is jointed to a wrist-pin m2 on a crankarm M', attached to a horizontal shaft M2, mounted in bearings in standards M 2 and carrying a worm-wheel M", gearing with a worm M5, the shaft of which carries a worm-wheel M, gearing with a worm MT on a shaft MS, to which the drivin g-pulley M is secured. To the wrist-pin m2 is also jointed one end of a rod N, the opposite end of which is connected with a pawl-carrying lever n, attached to a sleeve n', which is adapted to rock about the axis of the shaft e. A block n2 of insulating material is interposed in the connection between the rod N and the lever n, so that current may be prevented from passing from the sleeve e to the rod.

rlhc pawl a2 engages a ratchet-wheel N', rigidly connected with the sleeve c, having three teeth or notches n", arranged an equal distance apart. As the erank-arm M' is revolved the pawl-carrying lever n is moved back and forth. On its inward movement it engages one of the teeth a and imparts one-third ot' a revolution to the ratchet-wheel N', and thus causes one of the arms F, F', or F2 to be withdrawn from the spring-contacts G G G2 and another arm to be brought into eni gagement with one of such spring-contacts. The purpose of this operation will be hereinafter described.

In Fig. 2 the switch l is shown as closed. At this time the arm Z is arranged vertically and holds down the switch, and the parts will remain in this position until the crank-arm has revolved nearly one-hall' of a revolution and the stop or bumper m abuts against the rod Z3 and causes the arm Z to be turned slightly from its vertical position, at which time the springs Zal will cause the frame K to be raised suddenly, thus breaking the electrical connection at the contacts i', rbc. Soon after this the pawl engages one of the teelh fa, this being at the time when the wrist-pin m2 is about at the limit of its movement to the right. As soon as the wrist-pin begins to move back the pawl a3 will be moved in such manner as to turn the ratchet-wheel N', and thus turn the sleeve c, carrying the arms F F F2. \Vhile1he ratchet is thus beingturned, the switch l remains up or open, and the current is broken. 'lhe switch. is not again closed until the stop or bumper nl. has been moved into engagement with the rod Z3-Ll c., until the wrist-pin m2 has moved to the opposite side ol the shaftill2-and by this time the arms F F F2 have had their positions changed. It will thus be seen that the positions ot' the arms F F F2 are changed while the current is open at the switch l, and thus sparking between the paris F F' F2 and G ,lr G2 is avoided.

The gearing between the driving-pulley and the crank-arm M is a slow one, so that the switch l is open or closed For some considerable time at each revolution oli' thedriving-shaft.

A short crank-arm O, attached to the opposite end of the shaft M2, is connected by means of a rod o with an arm o', projecting upwardly from a circuit-closing bar l?, which is pivoted to a post o2, attached to aplate l, of insulating material. rlhis post is electrically connected with the wire J and also with the bar P.

Q Q2 Q2 Q* QT Q indicate a series of springcontacts attached to the plate P and insulated from ea-ch other. 'lhey are adapted to successively make electrical connection with the bar P. It will be observed that the contacts Q Q2, the., gradually decrease in length or height from that one nearest the post o2 outward. As the bar P moves downward it iirst makes electrical connection with the -contact Q' and then successivel f with the other contacts Q2, (te. Each of the contacts Q' Q2, &c., is connected with a separate wire q q2 q2 q q2 q", and these wires are sepa IZO rately connected with contact-fingers r r2 r4 T5 rf", carried by a bar R, of insulating material, which also carries contact-fingers S' s2 S2 s4 S5 S6, each of which is connected with a separate wire t t2 t2 t* t5 t6, which lead out to the electric lamps forming or illuminating the letters, signs, or designs.

It is obvious that if the current of electricity passes through the wire J to the bar P while the latter is descending; it will be subdivided and successively pass through the wires q q2, dac., and if the fingers r r2, the., be electrically connected with the fingers s/ s2, rbc., in

` the order stated currents of electricity will be successively sent into the wires t/ t2, dce.

In order to pass the currents from the fingers r r2, dac., to the lingers s s2, &c., I employ a wheel U, of insulating material, to which are secured a series of radial rows of contacts. Each radial row comprises six contact-plates u] u2 u2 to* a5 @di rIhe wheel is mounted to revolve in a supporting-frame IV in such manner that the contact-plates will be brought into electrical connection with the vfingers r' and s', 85e. The contact-plates fzt, rbc., in one radial series are connected with the contact-plates tt', &c., in the diametrically opposite series by wires Q/ c2 'U3 c4 of. By suitably wiring the wheel I may cause the currents to be sent into the circuit-wires t t2, dac., in any desired order. For instance, if it is desired to display the word Patent at the lamps the word may be spelled out in the order P-A-T-E-N-T, in which case the plate u/ on one side of the wheel would be connected with the plate u on the diametrieally opposite side, and the remaining contact-plates would be connected in regular order in the same way; but for advertising and other purposes it is sometimes found desirable to mix the letters, so that the letters will not appear in regular order, to display a word, this method being found to more effectively attract attention. Thus in Fig. 7 the contact u on one side of the wheel is shown as being connected with the contact u on the other side thereof, the contact u2 with the contact n4, the contact u2 with the contact u2, the contact n4 with the contact fit/5, the contact a5 with the contact a3, and the contact u with the contact a6, so that the letters of the word Patent would appear in the following order: P-E-A-N-T-T 5 but as these letters are properly arranged at the sign they will of course appear in proper relative positions and will spell the word correctly when the letters have all been brought into view. By changing the wiring the letters may be made to appear in any other desired way. In Fig. 7 I have shown two other radial series of contact-plates u', rbc., connected in a different way. lVhen these two series are in contact with the fingers r', &c., s, rbc., the word Patent will be spelled in the following order: T-N-P-T-E-A 5 but at the lamps while these letters are brought into view in the order stated they appear in proper regular order when the entire word is displayed. This method of operation naturally arrests the attention of the observer and increases his interest in the operation of the apparatus and causes him to linger to observe or hear whatever else may be going on in the immediate vicinity.

The wheel U is provided with a series of radial pins or teeth w, which are adapted to engage with an arm or wiper w on the shaft M2. This shaft revolves slowly and moves the wheel a short distance once in each of its revolutions-that is to say, the wheel is moved or advanced only once during each revolution of the shaft M2, and therefore only once between the times occupied in completely making and breaking the circuits by the bar P. In this way sufficient time is given to spell out a word and expose it to view. In Fig. 2 I have shown the wheel U provided with eight radial series of contacts u', rbc., on one side and eight radial series of contacts 1U, dre., on its opposite side, so that the wheel is adapted to causo eight different arrangements of the letters in the words to be displayed during one revolution-4i, c., to display the same word with the letters appearingin different order or to display a number of different designs or the same designs in different orders. Referring now to Fig. 7, c indicates the conductor leading from the mainline conductor C, as before explained, and in this diagram E indicates the contact-finger that is represented in Figs. l and 2 as bearing on the sleeve c, but in this diagram it is shown as adapted to make contact with points .fr fr r2 at the ends of the conductors H H H2 corresponding with the conductors similarly located in Figs. l and 2. These conductors H H' H2 may be of any desired length and lead to the letters or signs.

It has heretofore been proposed to employ blocks of lamps from which two or more letters may be formed by suitable wiring. Such blocks of letters are commonly called monograms. If it is desired to produce only one letter from the block of lamps, only one circuit-wire II, H', or H2 would be necessary, but when it is desired to produce, say, three letters from the same block it is necessary or usual to use three wires H II/ H2. |The wire ICO IIO

IIS

H2 is shown in Fig. 7 as being so connected with the lamps in the first block by wires i/ as to cause the lamps so connected to display the letter S when they receive current from is connected with the lam ps in the second block by wires y in suoli manner as to display the letter Ig and the wire Il is connected by wires in such manner as to display the letter I The wire II is connected at 53 in such manner that the letter L may also be under the control of the wire H. Any desired number of blocks of lamps may be used and each block may be arranged to produce any desired number of letters by following out the same system of wiring.

A single return-wire t 152253 t" 155 t is connected to each block of lamps and leads to the circuit-controlling apparatus, being connected to the fingers s' s2, tbc., in the manner before described.

In Figs. 8 and 9 I have shown diagrammatically a system in which no lprovision is made for 'forming letters by the lamps; but the system is suitable for ill uminating letters formed on glass or other such transparent material. In Fig. 9 I have shown a series of compartments, each containing three lamps,which may be of different colors. Each compartment has a transparent letter displayed at the front, and each compartment is separated from the others. The switch E in Fig. S controls the lamps of different colors. Thus all the lamps connected with the wire II may be red, those connected with II blue, and those connected with H2 green. In this way a word may be first displayed in red letters, then in blue, and then in green. I have also shown in Fig. S the system as adapted to display the letters in any desired order. Of course the colors of the lamps may be varied or the lampsin one compartment may be of a different color from those contained in the same circuit in any other compartment.

In Fig. lO I have shown a system similar to that shown in Fig. S, except that the devices for displaying the letters of a word in irregular order are omitted.

I have described the system as being adapted to display letters; but of course I may use the same system for displaying words, characters, designs, pictures, or any other desired object or objects.

Referring now to the apparatusshown in Figs. l and 2 for controlling the circuits, it will be remembered that the current from the generator comes in at C and passes through the conductors I-I II IIE. The current returns by the wires t t2, rbc., passes to the contacts Q Q2, rbc., then to the bar P, then tothe conductor J and the switch I, conductor b, and then to the main-line wire B. In Figs. l and 2 the apparatus is in the position where the circuit is broken at P; but the switch I is closed, the armi being vertical and the crank-arm M nearly at the end of its outwardmovement to the left. The bumper m is, however, in contact with the eye Z4. The arm F2 is in contact with the spring-linger G2. As the driving-shaft revolves the shaft M2 is revolved slowly, and the crank-arm O causes the bar P to be depressed, closing the circuits slowly through the contacts Q, che., and'thus spelling out the word, the wheel U at this time being stationary. As the bar P is being depressed the rods M and N are moved inward,- the pawl n3 being pushed back to engagea new tooth in the ratchet-wheel; but the switch I is not interfered with at this time, and the circuit remains closed. The bar P engages all the contacts Q Q2, rbc., when the crankarin O has reached its dead-center, and thereafter the bar P remains in electrical connection with the contacts Q, rbc., for some time, thus displaying the complete word for a length of time sufficient to be distinctlyseen. After this the bumper m comes against the eye l and causes the arm l to be moved out of its vertical position, and then the springs L" act to very quickly open the switch, and thus break the circuit. Soon after this the pawl n" engages a tooth of the ratchet, andthe arm fw engages one of the pins w. As the arm in moves upward it causes the wheel U to be turned, so as to move two diametrically opposite radial series of contacts u u2, rbc., out of engagement with the fingers r' s, the., and at the same time the bar P is slowly lifted, and the ratchet is turned to cause the arm F2 to break contact at G2 and the arm F to make contact at if. Further movement of the wheel U causes two new diametrically opposite series of contact-plates to be brought into electrical connection with the contact-'fingers 0" s', the. IVhile the bar P, wheel U, and ratchet N' are being thus moved the circuit is open at the main switch I, and thus I avoid sparking when making and breaking the circuits. After the fingers F F I2 have been thus shifted, the bar P lifted, and wheel U advanced the bumper Am comes against the rod Z3 and moves the frame K down, causing the circuit to be closed at the switch I. lVhile the circuit is broken at the bar P, the switch I is closed slowly, the arm l moving slowly over the surface k7 until it reaches avertical position, at which time the switch I will be completely closed. When this occurs, the parts will appear in the position shown in Figs. l and 2, and then the bar P will begin to descend, and the other mechanism will be successively operated in the order and in the manner before described.

I have described the best way now known to me of carrying out my invention; but I do not wish to confine myself to the precise details of construction shown and described or to the exact organizations and combinations set forth. Some of my improvements may be used independently of the others or in apparatus or systems of different kinds from that herein described.

The provision which I make for opening and closing the circuits when the main switch is open is a most desirable one, and the devices which I employ for si'iccessively displaying the letters of the word in any desired order render the system most attractive and useful for advertising and other purposes.

I claim as my inventionl. In an electrical display system, the com- ICO IIO

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bination with electric lamps, a main line, a plurality of branch wires leading from the main line to the lamps, a larger number of return-wires leading from the lamps back to the main line, and means for causing the current to pass successively and automatically from the main line through the branch wires'.

2. In an electrical display system, the combination of a plurality of blocks of electric lamps, a main line, a plurality of branch wires leading from the main line to the blocks of lamps, a larger number of return-wires leading from the lamps back to the main line, and means for causing the current to pass J successively and automatically from the main line through the branch wires and back to the main line through the return-wires.

In an electrical display system, the combination of a series of blocks of electric lamps with the lamps in each block arranged and wired to form a monogram, a main line, a plurality of branch wires leading from the main line, and each connected with one of the groups of lamps in one or more of the blocks, return-wires one for each block of lamps, and means for causing the current to pass successively and automatically through the branch Wires.

4. In an electrical display system, the combin ation of a series of blocks of electric lamps with the lamps in each block arranged and wired to form a monogram, a main line, a plurality of branch wires leading from the main line, and each connected with one of the groups of lamps in one or more of the blocks, a return wire leading from each block of lamps to the main line, means for automatically shifting the current from one outgoing branch wire to another, and devices for successively and automatically connecting the return-wires with the main line.

5. In an electrical display system, the combination of a series of blocks of electric lamps, a main line connected therewith, a separate return-wire connecting each block of lamps with the main line, means for successively closing the circuit of each block of lamps, and devices for controlling the order in which said circuits are closed.

G. In an electrical display system, the combination of a series of blocks of electric lamps, a main line connected therewith, a separate return-wire connecting the main line with each block of lamps, means for successively and automatically closing the circuit of each block of lamps, and means for automatically changing the order in which said circuits are closed.

7. In an electrical display system, the combination of electric lamps, a main line, a plurality of branch wires connecting the main line with the lamps, a larger number of return wires connecting the lamps with the main line, means for automatically and successively causing the current to pass through the branch wires; means for automatically opening and closing the main line at regular intervals, means for opening the return-circuits while the main line is open, and means for opening one of the branch circuits and closin g another when the main line is open.

S. In an electrical display system, the combination with electric lamps of a main line, a plurality of circuits connecting the main line with the lamps, means for opening and closing the main line at intervals, means for successively closing the return-circuits, and for controlling the order inwhieh they are opened and devices for shifting the controlling means while the main line is open.

9. The combination of amainline, aswitch for automatically opening and closing the main line at regular intervals, a plurality of branch wires, means for automatically shifting the current from one branch wire to another, a plurality of return-wires, means for successively connecting them to the main line while the main line is closed, and means for changing the order in which the return-circuits are closed.

l0. The combination of a main line, a switch connected therewith, a plurality of branch wires,contacts with which they are connected, a plurality of rotary arms adapted to engage said contacts, electric lamps included in the circuits of the branch wires, return -wires from the lamps connected with the mainline, a rotating shaft, connections between the shaft and the switch of the main line for opening and closing it, and connections between said shaft and the rotary arms.

Il. The combination of a main line,a switch connected therewith, a plurality of branch wires, a switch for alternately connecting said wires with the main line, electric lamps included in the circuits of the branch wires, a plurality of return-wires from the lamps, a switch for successively connecting the returnwires with the main line, a shifting contactcarrying wheel for controlling the order in which the circuits are closed through the return-wires, a rotary shaft, and connections between said shaft and the switch for opening and closing the main line, the switch for opening and closing the branch circuits, thel switch for opening and closing the returncircuits, and for operating the wheel which controls the order in which the return-circuits are opened and closed.

12. In an electrical display system the combination with groups of lamps and their circuit connections, of a wheel moved step by step and having means for changing the circuits whereby the order in which the circuits are closed through the lamps may be changed.

13. In an electrical display system the combination of a disk or wheel provided with radial series of contacts, connections between the contacts in one radial series with the contacts in the diametricaily opposite series, contact-fingers engaging the contacts of the wheel on opposite sides thereof, groups of IOC IOS

IIS

electric lamps, a main line, connections between the lamps and the main line, return- Wires from the lamps connected with one set of contact-lingers, a switch to which the other set of contact-fingers are connected, and connections between this switch and the main line.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

FRANCIS L. OBRYAN.

lVitnesses CLYDE W. VICKERS, JNO. L. HoWER'roN. 

